With the loss, the Indians fall back to .500 on the season and now trail the Detroit Tigers by four games in the AL Central division.

"When you're going through good periods, you don't necessarily even have to reel off a bunch of wins to feel good about your team," manager Terry Francona said. "When your starting pitching is good, you've got a chance to win every night. Guys continue to pick each other up at the plate."

The Twins took the lead in the top of the second when third baseman Trevor Plouffe lined a two-run home run over the wall in left-center.

Minnesota failed to score again off Cleveland starter Corey Kluber until the sixth. After Kluber loaded the bases with a single and a pair of walks, designated hitter Justin Morneau laced a single to right field to put the Twins up 3-1.Josh Willingham was tagged out in a run-down after the runner scored.

Kluber (2-1, 3.06) failed to pitch through the sixth inning. In five and two-thirds innings, he allowed three earned runs on five hits, four walks, and a homer. He struck out five batters.

The Tribe bullpen kept the team within reach for the final three and one-third innings. Cody Allen finished the sixth inning without allowing any further damage. Matt Albers allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one. Scott Barnes, summoned from AAA Columbus before Sunday’s game, worked the final two innings, allowing no hits or walks while striking out four.

The Tribe lineup was kept quiet most of the day, scoring just one run in the fourth. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera led off the inning with a double and proceeded to steal third base, his second stolen base of the season. With one out in the inning, first baseman Mark Reynolds hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center to pull the score to 2-1.

The RBI was Reynolds’ 26th of the season, the best on the team and fifth-best in the American League.

Carlos Santana added a solo blast into the left field bleachers with two outs in the ninth to put the Indians within two runs. Right fielder Ryan Raburn followed with an opposite field single, but pinch hitter Mike Aviles struck out with a full count to end the game.

Pelfrey (3-3, 6.35) was tough through six innings of work, allowing just the one run. He gave up just four hits and one walk while striking out seven.

Josh Roenicke and Jared Burton relieved Pelfrey and combined to hold the Indians lineup to one walk in the seventh and eighth. After serving up a homer and a single, Glen Perkins finished off the Tribe for his seventh save of the season.

Cleveland will continue its homestand Monday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Oakland Athletics. Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2, 7.13) will look to build off his previous start against A’s righty Jarrod Parker (1-4, 7.36).

Notes: Drew Stubbs’ four game hitting streak was snapped with a 0-for-3 afternoon. …Nick Swisher was 0-for-4 and is now hitting .253 on the season. … Vinnie Pestano is expected to be available for Monday’s game against Oakland after missing time with elbow discomfort.

Nathan Kemp graduated from The University of Akron in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in English. He plans to pursue a graduate degree through NEOMFA in the fall. Follow him on Twitter @NathanCKemp.

User Comments

Rich

May 6, 2013 - 8:36 AM EDT

Two of the three runs allowed by Kluber were scored by guys he walked. He had something like 13 consecutive innings without a walk, but as soon as he started issuing free passes he paid the price.

Right now he looks like a good AAA pitcher. He needs to refine his command a little more and he could be a decent #5 starter.

Myers is starting to throw a little so we'll see how many more starts Kluber gets. He needs to take advantage of this opportunity.

Gotta hand it to Pelfrey. He was filthy out there despite coming in with an ERA over 7.00. They say it takes a year to get your command back after TJ surgery, but he was hitting the black all day.